Action Against Mobile Thefts in and around Andheri

Although I have mentioned the Andheri area where these thefts have repetitively taken place, this petition addresses and represents every individual in Mumbai who has been denied justice. I have come across numerous people who have lost their phones especially around "Marol", Andheri. This could be either in a bus, while driving or may be just walking around.

To add to the pain the Mumbai Police department shows minimal interest at even hearing these complaints and will insist on filing a "MISSING REPORT" even though it was a planned THEFT.

I will add my story to support this cause. I was driving via Marol towards Powai around 9pm on Thursday 18th Oct'12. I was driving alone with the AC on and my phone left to charge on my co-driver seat. Traffic in Mumbai is no surprise, however when it comes to Andheri you can imagine the trouble driving.

Amid the slow moving traffic, a random guy starts hitting the rear door towards my left with a stone. Concerned and baffled I lower my left power window. I then hear him shouting that I have driven over his foot. (He pretends to limp) Just then another Guy begins to distract me by banging on to my side of the door. Please note that these guys actually caused some minor dents in my car. The other guy succeeds in directing my attention towards him while my phone has been flicked in seconds. Cars behind me begin to honk forcing me to move ahead. Within seconds these men disappear as I concentrate on getting my car ahead under the pressure from the cars behind. It was not until I managed to be out of traffic (Say 20 minutes odd) I get time to ponder over what happened. Only to know that my phones missing and I was tricked.

The next day I try to lodge a complaint with the Police at Sahar Police Station. The officer talks about everything, right from why you should not own a car in Mumbai, buy cheap phones.... to even ridiculing me of TRAFFIC IN ANDHERI.....explains how over worked they are etc. and eventually says that lets not file a FIR, instead a "Missing Report". Astonished I exclaim that this was a theft, a well planned theft amid some heavy traffic. I insisted on a FIR and denied a missing report. To which the officers delayed making me wait for 4 long hours. I stay and work in Charni Road and could not wait longer. Later they said that now there is no one to file the complaint and you would need to wait further till the shift changes. I eventually lost patience and left. JUST LIKE MANY OTHERS.

However while I left I could see no empathy from any of the officers. For some strange reason I felt like they knew it all. While I mention this I have full respect for the work they do, and hence do not wish to be judgmental. But to file a FIR is my right, and why would that be denied? Are the protectors protecting the wrong guys?

I eventually filed an online complaint on the Mumbai Police site. I have still not received any update nor an acknowledgement. A friend of mine lost two phones in consecutive weeks in the same bus. He happened to have a similar experience at the Sahar police Station. This is when I felt that, this is it. It is OUR silence which allows such crimes and criminals to survive. Someone somewhere needs to raise a voice against injustice.

My humble request to support YOURSELF in this Cause. You may not be a victim today, but why wait for that day. I will be sending this petition to the Commissioner of Mumbai Police. Fingers Crossed.